The state and federal agencies are not taking into account the impact of 14 petrochemical plants in this area" -- Anna Hrybyk, Bucket Brigade

The Baton Rouge ExxonMobil chemical plant is requesting permission to perform expansion projects that will ultimately lead to higher emissions levels, according to a public notice released Monday from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

The ExxonMobil permit request names a number of expansion projects including resizing pipes, upgrading pumps which will result in a 20 percent increase in toluene and benzene production.

However, if the permit is granted, emissions of a number of pollutants including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and benzene will increase.

The LDEQ release noted the increase in emissions does not exceed current pollutant limitations set by their office or the Environmental Protection Agency. ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs Officer Jennifer Hughes echoed this statement.

"Aromatics production units are one of the most strictly regulated production categories under the Clean Air Act. This unit complies with all regulatory requirements and emissions standards," she said.

"There are no emission increases requested for benzene, toluene, or xylene," Hughes added.

However, environmental groups such as the Louisiana Bucket Brigade say the lack of knowledge over health issues caused by this combination of chemicals, more so than the raised emission levels, have caused concern.

55,000 people and 38 schools are located within two miles
of the plant, which produces 503,500 barrels of crude oil daily, making
it the second largest refinery in the United States

"The state and federal agencies are not taking into account the impact of 14 petrochemical plants in this area," Bucket Brigade Program Manager Anna Hrybyk said.

"That's the problem -- each individual plant has a threshold and its not looked at cumulatively...There is little to no research on how a cocktail of these chemicals effects people," she added.

However, Hughes said "to set the facts straight -- state and federal rules include specific provisions and safeguards to insure sources are evaluated cumulatively as part of the permitting process."

She added the permit represents a relatively small investment for ExxonMobil and was part of its five-year renewal process.

ExxonMobil requested an expedited permit for the changes to the plant, located 10 miles north of downtown Baton Rouge, which means the state will notify them if the permit is granted within 10 days.